Patents by Inventor Clyde Ward

Clyde Ward has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6286375
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating vapor extraction from the headspace of a septum-sealed vial containing a sample to be analyzed. The vial is heated, driving dissolved volatile organics out of solution and into the vapor headspace. A first end of a hollow probe penetrates the septum of the sample vial and is submerged within the sample. The second end of the probe is connected to the first port of a two-port gas-tight valve. A first end of a flexible tube is connected to the second port of the valve. The second end of the tube is submerged in a heated liquid source. In one embodiment, the vapor is extracted from the vial through the septum by a vapor extraction means. During vapor extraction, the valve is opened, thereby connecting the vial to the heated liquid via the tube, thereby allowing the liquid to replace the vapor as it is extracted for analysis from the otherwise closed headspace volume. In an alternate embodiment, the heated liquid source is pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Clyde Ward